Caring

Caring involves trust. Does that surprise you? Caring involves loving affection, but do we think of trust and why should it involve trust? When we project a part of ourselves, our feelings, our passion, we send it out for an expression, an effect. We send it out for sharing. If we do not have some sense of trust that this will have a result, then we wouldn't begin. Many times we falter along life's way because we have lost that trust. Perhaps we sent out our best self and it was rejected or perhaps we reached out with feeling and saw no result. Then, as many do, we pulled inside. Perhaps we tried again and again and then gave up. Looking at the world's problems, that would be easy to do. The problems seem insurmountable. There is so much poverty, so much hurt, and so much lack of understanding that it would seem impossible to have any effect at all.

The best caring is that which flows without expectation. It is that which comes from the innermost part of our self and which is sent somewhat like spreading seed in a garden. It is important to remember that caring is never wasted though on the surface it would seem so. It is also just as important that caring is not labeled with a 'personality' so that we feel it is the "I" which is being expressed. In one sense, it is, but it is really the bigger "I", the soul of the person, which sends its best caring. If you have experienced hurt or loss because of caring, look at the entire experience. How would you change it? Would you be quick to change it if it caused you pain or would you take a second look and see if the experience taught you something or gave something to another.

Caring can become too heavy, a duty to perform, an action that is supposed to be carried out to express one's goodness. This type of caring does get results, but it is not the two way street that caring should be. Too often it becomes habit without the real feeling and expression of the person who gives it. There is, too, the person who cares too much. It becomes overwhelming and to 'survive', the caring is set aside, ignored, as if that is the proper expression. When one cares too much, it is important to see the overview first, then look at the individual view. Not only does caring help the receiver, but it also helps the sender. When the caring becomes a burden, then focus it on one area or interest, look at that particular need and let the other needs be on the outer fringe of your main care.

Learn to care in stages - a little at a time. Tackling too much often leads to short term caring. Simply become open to daily experiences that can become an avenue to share your particular caring. It is you and only you who can give the caring needed as you see it. It is true that you can join with others who have common caring interests and perhaps you even care in the same way such as giving money or time, still, remember that caring comes from within and that means your spirit is what is being shared.